Sermons and Biblical Studies

Cult Vs. Christ "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" (Mat_23:15). The great lack of the Phariseeism stands before us in bold relief. The Pharisees knew nothing of compassion, … Continue reading “1681. Cult Vs. Christ”

The Leaven of the Pharisees–Part II Cult vs. Christ (Mat_23:15). Accused vs. Excusing (Mat_23:16-17). Rites vs. Righteousness (Mat_23:23). Essentials vs. Non-essentials (Mat_23:24). Without vs. Within (Mat_23:25). Sons vs. Fathers (Mat_23:29-33). The Compassionate Christ (Mat_23:37). We now come to our second message on the Leaven of the Pharisees. We need not be surprised that the strongest … Continue reading “1680. The Leaven of the Pharisees–Part II”

Robbing Widows' Houses "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses" (Mat_23:14). The Pharisees were not half so good as they appeared. They could pray long prayers, but their prayers were a cloak to cover their evil practices. No wonder the Lord Jesus Christ said, "Beware ye of the leaven of … Continue reading “1679. Robbing Widows' Houses”

A Pretense of Long Prayer "And for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater condemnation" (Mat_23:14, \1911 Bible). It is very necessary to get back of all long prayers and drawn-out petitions, made in public. We must examine the private walk, to rightly estimate the public prayer. Outward postures do not … Continue reading “1678. A Pretense of Long Prayer”

A False Profession of Piety "But ail their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments" (Mat_23:5). One would have thought the Pharisees most religious; they carried with them every outward mark of a superb piety; they walked among the people with … Continue reading “1677. A False Profession of Piety”

A Passion for Praise "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi" … Continue reading “1676. A Passion for Praise”

Creating an Unsafe Leadership "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not" (Mat_23:3). So far as the Pharisees truly represented Moses and his law, they could be followed in safety, but they could not be followed beyond that point. … Continue reading “1675. Creating an Unsafe Leadership”

Making Unscriptural Demands "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers" (Mat_23:4). The Pharisees were not content with following the plain demands of the Word of God. They added their traditions; they sought to place … Continue reading “1674. Making Unscriptural Demands”

Usurping the Seat of Authority "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat" (Mat_23:1-2). These men who lorded it over Israel took unto themselves great authority because they claimed that they had fallen heir to Moses' seat. They stood, supposedly, between God and … Continue reading “1673. Usurping the Seat of Authority”

The Leaven of the Pharisees–Part 1 Mat_23:1-14 Usurping the Seat of Authority (Mat_23:1-2). Making Unscriptural Demands (Mat_23:4). Creating an Unsafe Leadership (Mat_23:3). A Passion for Praise (Mat_23:5-7). A False Profession of Piety (Mat_23:5). A Pretense of Long Prayer (Mat_23:14, l. c.). Robbing Widows' Houses (Mat_23:14, f. c.). "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, … Continue reading “1672. The Leaven of the Pharisees–Part 1”